Flames 4, Blue Jackets 1

Associated Press

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) -It looks like the old Jarome Iginla is back for the Calgary Flames, and just in time.

Iginla scored twice and added two assists Tuesday night to lead the Flames to a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mike Cammalleri added a goal and two assists as the Flames'top two scorers combined for their biggest night since a 10-point outburst on New Year's Eve in a win over the Edmonton Oilers.

After second-period goals by Dion Phaneuf and Cammalleri broke open a 1-1 game, Iginla capped a terrific evening with his 24th goal into an empty net with 31 seconds remaining.

"I'm relaxing more now," said Iginla, who has four goals in four games after notching just two in his previous 19. "When you start pressing, you don't move as quickly and you don't see things as sharply. I'm also playing with a little bit more confidence."

Iginla's recent slump was not as a big a concern as it could have been as the Flames kept winning, getting contributions from the likes of Rene Bourque (21 goals) and Daymond Langkow (18 goals).

However, they'll need Iginla to return to form with Bourque (ankle) and Langkow (hand) both going down with injuries recently.

"When you get in a little bit of a rut, you start trying to simplify it, but there's a fine line for me," Iginla said. "You get too simple, you just chip it down the boards, you just chip it in, and that doesn't feel like that's my game. I have to try and hold it, get some give-and-go's going with Cammie and Connie (Craig Conroy), and get the feet moving".

With 828 career points, Iginla moved within two of Flames all-time leader Theo Fleury.

Calgary has won three straight and has earned points in each of its last eight games. Combined with Vancouver's loss to Montreal, the first-place Flames opened a 10-point lead over the Canucks in the Northwest Division.

Calgary went in front for good by breaking a 1-1 tie midway in the second period. With Marc Methot in the penalty box, the Flames took advantage of their first power play with Iginla and Cammalleri working the puck to Phaneuf at the blue line. The defenseman moved toward the middle of the ice and let a wicked slap shot go that found the top corner of the net behind Steve Mason, who was screened by Flames forward David Moss.

It was the Flames' first power-play goal in five games.

Just over three minutes later, Cammalleri struck for his 30th of the season. Although it won't go down as a power-play goal, it came with a delayed penalty call coming to Jan Hejda that enabled the Flames to pull Miikka Kiprusoff for an extra skater.

Calgary controlled the puck in the Blue Jackets' end for at least 30 seconds before Iginla spotted Cammalleri open at the side of the net. Iginla threaded a cross-ice pass and Cammalleri's one-timer squeezed past Mason.

Iginla, who opened the scoring, also capped it with his 24th into an empty net with 31 seconds remaining.

R.J. Umberger scored for Columbus. After earning points in seven straight games, the Blue Jackets have lost two straight.

"It's a tough building to come into. You know they have a good team, it's always a good crowd, and they play a rough style," said Columbus captain Rick Nash. "I wish I had the answer on why we can't win here.

"Knowing how good a team they are, you have to make sure you jump on them quick. We had to capitalize on a couple of those early chances to have a better chance to win."

Kiprusoff made 28 saves to win his NHL-leading 36th game (36-15-5). Fourteen of the saves came in a busy first period.

After giving up five goals on 13 shots in his previous start, Mason was better, overcoming a shaky start to finish the night with 24 stops.

Notes: Columbus D Aaron Rome, recalled Saturday from Syracuse (AHL), was inserted into the lineup in place of D Christian Backman, who was a healthy scratch... Columbus C Chris Gratton did not play again and has yet to make his Blue Jackets debut after being claimed on waivers Saturday... Eleven players were missing due to injury, six belonging to Calgary. Columbus would have also had six, but LW Jason Chimera (groin) returned after sitting out the previous game... Calgary LW Eric Nystrom played in his 100th career NHL game.